Shadows Beneath the Ashes

Bloody 'ell, 'arry! You're actually hot!

Harry stared at the clock that his aunt and uncle had so graciously let him "borrow" that summer. As to be expected, the once bright red light of the digital clock was dim and flickering. Harry didn't even know that digital clocks could flicker like that. If he hadn't known better, he would've thought it was an old neon sign, shuttering in and out of existence on its last threads of life.

Just like me, Harry thought bitterly as he cradled his bruised and bloodied arm against his chest. Hedwig gave a low coo, concerned for her master as she eyed the arm. The Golden Boy gave his sweet owl a small smile, hoping to reassure the winged animal that he was okay, but unfortunately, that smile was weak from pain. It only made the owl more agitated. She started gently shaking her wings in her cage. Harry got up and slowly walked towards the poor creature.

"Hey, girl," he whispered, opening the cage and lifting her from her perch. "I'm okay, don't worry. This is normal." Harry scratched her chin and reached into his trunk for her treats. She didn't accept the gesture but instead rubbed her head against her owner's neck, giving soft coos here and there. Harry was confused; the owl never got this worried about his wounds, and he's had worse. He glanced at the clock as it switched to 12:00.

Then, the worst pain Harry had ever felt in his body suddenly rampaged through his body. Harry, being the way he is, somehow managed to stumble to his bed before he collapsed. What is happening to me, he wondered, writhing in pain. Some might be concerned as to how he has such a high pain tolerance, but Vernon was most truly the worst monster when the man wanted to be.

                                                                               ~~~~~~~~~

After what felt like hours, Harry finally felt fine enough to stand. He glanced at the time to learn that it had only been ten minutes. I managed to traverse through hell in ten minutes? Well, fuck, good job, me.

He stretched, listening to the popping of his joints. He must've been extra tense because he had never heard such loud pops in his life. He sighed and glanced out his barred window. It was dark enough that it had a reflection. What Harry saw made his heart plummet to his feet.

"No," he whispered sharply. His hair had grown to his waist. His ears were long and pointed, the tips curved slightly downward. His once dull jade eyes and sharpened to majestic emeralds, bright even in the dead of night. His skin had turned a couple shades paler, making him look almost unreal. He had also become shorter and curvier, almost like a girl.

"If Vernon and Petunia find out about this, I am actually a goner this time," he hissed to himself. Then he heard a knock on his window. He turned to see Ron sitting on the window outside, gesturing for Harry to let him in. The bars had somehow disappeared without a sound. Harry didn't want to question how the goofy ginger had managed to pull that off by himself. He smiled. Maybe Ron could explain what had just happened to him.

So he opened the window and gestured for Ron to step inside. "They're out," he whispered. "And I need to talk to you about something." Ron, being dense as ever, didn't even notice Harry's dramatic change until he crawled through the window and stood, turning to face the spectacled boy.

Ron let out a low whistle. "What's with this glow up mate?" he asked, flicking one of Harry's ears. "And why did your ears grow, 'arry?"

"I was hoping you'd have an answer for that," Harry admitted. "As soon as the clock struck midnight, I had the worst pain ever..." Ron just shrugged.

"I have no idea, mate. Maybe 'mione knows." He shook his head. "Truly is strange, this is. We should get you to the Burrow. Speaking of the devil, 'mione is already there."

Then they heard an owl hoot loudly in the window. They both jumped and whipped around to find an unimpressed black owl perched there, staring at them like aren't you going to take this and feed me?

Harry got out a treat and retrieved the letter from the owl's talons. The seal had Gringotts's symbol on it. He nodded at the owl in acknowledgement and the owl flew off, unbothered by the world around it. 

He opened the letter and read;

Dear Harry Potter,

It has come to my attention that you have come into your inheritance on this day, July 31, 1996*. To be informed of what this inheritance entails, please come by Gringotts at your earliest convenience. I also have concerns as to some withdrawals that have come from your account within the past year.

Sincerely yours,

Griphook

Harry blinked. "Inheritance?" Ron, as helpful as always, gave a little shrug.

"I still don't know, mate," the boy admitted. But then he grinned. "But bloody 'ell, 'arry! You are hot now, mate!"

*Harry was born on July 31st, 1980. So, he would be 16 in 1996. I've seen some of these fics not know when his birthday is, lmao.

Also I know I said I would get this published within a day, but I got distracted with stress and overall bad mental health. I'm glad to be back and I love you guys. I'll post chapter 2 soon, you silly Potterhead geese :).